mctolber- November 1982 Editor's Note: The effect of change on people and na­ tions is commonly accepted fact. Pursuing ways to predict, cause, deter, accommo­ date or confront change and its conse­ quences is how most of us spend our lives. Dealing with change is rarely easy, con­ venient or painless; and as Henry Steele Commager notes, "Change does not necessarily assure progress but progress implacably requires change. " It is from such viewpoint that this issue looks at change and the portent of change on this nation, its maritime Industry - in­ cluding seafarers, and the Seamen's Church Institute - past, present and future. From seafarer, maritime executive and artist to Institute board manager, Oxford don and poet, we think you will find their observations and concerns about change provocative and challenging ones. We would also like to know your reactions to this issue. Carlyle Windley Editor 1:00KOUT Volume 74 Number 3 October-November 1982 © 1982 Seamen's Church In stitute of New York an d New Jersey In Search of a Miracle American seamen speak out on the future of the nation's 2 merchant marine and their chances as professional seamen . America's Future: A View from Abroad Highlights from an intensive study by Oxford dons of the 5 technological , socio-economic and political forces changing America and the American Dream. The Sandy Hook Pilots A close-up look at one of the Port's most esteemed but 10 little known associations. The Era of the Floating Chapels The origin of the floating church for seafarers and the, role of the floating chapel in the history of the 29 Institute and the Port of New York . 7 At the Institute 8 Maritime Friends of SCI Honor Sea-Land Executive 13 Annual Report / 1981 33 Shipvisiting and the Institute Three Seminarians' Views 36 Institute Thanks Three for Their Support 37 Recommended Reading 38 Antonio Jacobsen: From Sail to Steam 40 Poetry Editor Carlyle Windley Cover photo: Staff Writer' George S. Dooley Michael Gillen Production Assistant: Elizabeth Norberg-Ellis The Lookout (ISSN.0024-6425), published Feb.-March , June-July, Oct.-Nov., by the Seamen 's Church Institu te of New York & New Jersey. 15 State Street, New York, N.Y. 10004, Telephone: (212) 269-27 10. The Right Reve rend Paul Moore, Jr, STD , DD., Honorary President I Anthony D. Marshall, President The Rev. James R. Whittemore, Director. Mailed to all those who contribute $5.00 or more annually to the Seamen's Church Institu te of New York & New Jersey. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Seamen 's Church Institu te of New York & New Jersey, New York, N.Y. 10004 President Reagan 's planned proposal for Without berths for extended periods, a renewal of the United States' merchant year or more in some cases, increasing marine can't come too soon for a majority numbers of well-qualified seamen are of American seafarers. simply rotting away ashore. Their skills at­ Trained mariners are, in fact, skeptical rophy. Morale is low, as is pride of profes- about their professional opportunities in sion. the 1980s and uncertain about the Ahmet Ismail, a seaman since 1965, notes maritime industry's future. that the major maritime powers - espe­ Many agree that a miracle may be needed cially the Scandinavians - have cultivated to restore the US merchant marine to a a tradition of seamanship, and view sea­ position of leadership after more than a farers as vital contributors to the fleets on decade of decline. Steve Tillinghast, for which national economies depend. "Look example, a student at SCI 's Merchant at the industry's contribution during the Marine School , sees qualified seamen as Vietnam era. Do we now have the man­ an asset which is eroding rapidly. "The power to handle a comparable fault lies with government. They have hurt emergency?" In Search of a Miracle: The Future of Professional American Seamen the industry's ability to act independently in a competitive business." He also believes that unions should be restrained in their demands on maritime management and cooperate to sustain a competitive edge for US companies. As Tillinghast views it, advancement op­ portunities for younger, qualified seamen are poor and many seamen are doubtful about future prospects for the profession. The continued decline of America's mer­ chant marine, in reality, is nowhere more painful than its impact on individual sea­ men. Louis Silas , a veteran seaman , says: "I'm a realist. And like many, I don't see much of a future for young men coming into the profession , Many of them have families to support, homes and mortgages. For this they need a fair Combined with career questions are the amount of security. I'm not sure they will family dilemmas facing many seamen . find it in the merchant marine, at least the Temporary jobs and retraining programs way things are now." are becoming practical necessities for One of his positive suggestions was a form some, There is also an apparent consen­ of tax break for seamen which would allow sus that today's seamen are better trained them to continue in the profession while than ever before, but that there are simply compensating them in periods of declin­ not enough jobs to go around. Jonathan ing employment. "The seaman is a trained Haight , a seaman since 1972, argues that professional. He represents a sizable US seamen are more efficient, better asset - to companies and the industry." trained , but more expensive. Most of the seamen interviewed believe "Automation isn't a real problem. Nor is it that the unions are doing a good job: but just foreign competition. It's many things: perhaps too good for the welfare of the government policies; unions; business; industry. Several seamen , who declined to the recession and maybe too few people be mentioned , criticized the wage scales willing to work together for the common for officers as excessive. "They are not good." only as well paid as airline pilots, but get The US , Haight states, has to be able to lavish overtime allowances. US labor provide low cost, competitive ocean borne costs are high," one union member sea­ transportation backed up by strong man­ man noted. agement and labor organizations. "Con­ The problems may, in fact, be increasing. stant, steady demand , rather than 3 1 feast-or-famine is what we need as sea­ places new emphasis on education and Work rules have also come under fire from farers. " training of seamen. "Only the best trained seamen and industry spokesmen. Davia Despite the problems of underemploy­ and most capable seamen seem to have a A: Howard, publisher of a respected in­ ment, most seamen take pride in their solid future ," they note. dustry journal , American Shipper, notes ir an editorial that "the men on the sh ips work. "Safety at sea is not really a problem National Maritime Union spokesmen know that most of the work rules serve no - at least on well managed vessels. And largely concur, stressing the impact of useful purpose except to run up thecosto: there are really few bad officers, most are foreign competition on American carriers operating ships. So long as the money IS well motivated and trained , at least on US as a critical problem: "The US simply IS no available - and Uncle Sam IS picking up ships," Louis Silas commented. "Crews longer really competitive with foreign car­ most of the tab - you cannot criticize the and cargoes are simply too valuable to riers . Worse, we do not seem to be able to men for picking up the extra money. endanger. " present a unified national front against Shores ide personnel do it; ships' officers foreign competitors which would assure Union spokesmen are not much more op­ do it· accountants do it; government us a share of the market. " timistic than individual seamen about fu­ workers do it , so, why not seagoing ture prospects for the profession. Some Union officials are virtually unanimous personnel?" note levels of peer competition dominating against a rollback of wages and benefits to the lives of seamen for jobs, between un­ Can conclusions be drawn? Certainly In­ seafarers, however, despite the belief of dividual seamen face an uncertain future ions, between organized labor and busi­ many that wages have inhibited US car­ ness, and competition between individual And there seems to be little on the horiz()(I riers from offering competitive rates . An to warrant optimism about the industry's companies. "The trend has been to serve · appeal by Maritime Administrator Admiral our own interests first and to hell with future. Still, some believe that Reagan's Harold E. Shear to seagoing union officials administration, and an overall deepening everyone else." Added to the list, of in June for example, came under critical course, is competition between US and concern with the US's declining merchant fire from most unions. Only MEBA presI­ marine, together with some tough-minded foreign carriers for cargo. Individually, dent Jesse M. Calhoon endorsed the seamen face new trends in the industry: decisions, may produce what everyone rollback request. wants: a miracle. bigger ships, smaller crews, emphasis on G.D. automation, high levels of productivity, "Labor costs are a factor, but not the only and more job diversity aboard ships. In factor in the higher price of US operators," addition, the demand for higher skill levels one union spokesman said . 4 America's Future: A View From Abroad From DeTocquevilie in the 19th century to "American domestic problems, since they ware of emotional appeals, easy pa­ contemporary writer Alistair Cooke, are basically national in origin , cannot be triotism and nostalgia for heroes, they foreign commentators have offered solved on less than a national scale," they suggest.